KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The man charged with fatally shooting six people and wounding two others did not have a concealed pistol license, according to Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas.
Sworn testimony from officers who arrested 45-year-old Jason Dalton early Sunday morning revealed they found a semiautomatic handgun in his vehicle.
Dalton was charged Monday with six counts of open murder, two counts of assault with intent to commit murder and eight counts of felony firearms in connection with the Saturday evening shooting spree.
He appeared emotionless during his video arraignment in 8th District Court, and when asked by the judge if he had anything to say to the community, only said, “I would prefer just to remain silent.”
Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said Dalton waived his right against self-incrimination and admitted to “taking people’s lives.” Gettings confirmed that Dalton took fares as a Uber driver after the first shootings and probably more after later shootings.
Six people were killed and two other were wounded in the shootings, which began at about 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at Meadows Townhomes. A woman was shot and seriously injured there while trying to protect children from the gunfire.
Dalton then allegedly opened fire at the Seelye Kia Dealership on Stadium Drive at about 10:15 p.m., killing Rich Smith and his son Tyler Smith while they looked at cars.
About 15 minutes later, Dalton shot five other people in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Texas Township, police say. Four of those victims, Mary Lou Nye, Mary Jo Nye, Dorothy Brown and Barbara Hawthorne, were killed. Abigail Kopf, a 14-year-old girl, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Dalton was arrested at about 12:40 a.m. Sunday near Ransom and Porter streets in Kalamazoo.
Police in Kalamazoo confirm that Dalton registered the gun legally.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
